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Iraq
Radio Tikrit changes tune in Iraq
2003-02-25
A station identifying itself as Radio Tikrit, which carried programming early in February referring to President Saddam Hussein in respectful terms, seems to have shifted to a line hostile to the Iraqi leader.
"...and you're listening to RTFM. Now a special request for a Saddam Hussein, who lives in Baghdad: the Scorpions' 'Wind of Change...'"
Tikrit is the birthplace of Saddam Hussein, and the radio announces itself as "Radio Tikrit for the whole of Iraq and all the Iraqis", although it is unclear from where it is broadcast. The radio, which broadcasts for two hours in the evening on a medium-wave frequency, was heard on 7 and 8 February carrying news, songs and general-interest features. The initial programming did not air the Iraqi national anthem but did seem to support Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party and was critical of the US. One programme, called Open Dialogue, included items glorifying "Saddam Hussein's Iraq".
For readers new to the subject area, this is called "gray operations" — ostensibly sympathetic until the audience is built, then throwing in the message, usually just prior to being shut down. Days, rather than weeks?
But from 15-19 February, the content had changed noticeably, with reports highlighting poverty in Iraq. The same programme was sharply critical of Saddam Hussein's Republican Guards and the Public Security Department. In a country where the domestic media is controlled by Saddam Hussein, such a deviation is noteworthy. Members of the Republican Guards were advised to leave their positions "before it is too late". Similarly, public-security officers were advised by the programme on 19 February to refuse the "orders of the tyrant" and "be brave before it is too late". The station can be heard from 1900-2100 GMT on 1584 kHz, but reception is patchy because of co-channel interference and fading. Features include recitations from the Koran, and the Arabic press review includes London-based Arabic-language papers. There is speculation that this may be a psychological operation - or "psyops" - designed to disrupt Saddam's monopoly on information and drum up opposition to his rule - but the identity of its sponsor is as yet unclear. Similar psyops radio broadcasts have been used in times of conflict. In recent months, particularly in Afghanistan, the US has delivered radio broadcasts from the air with its Commando Solo flights.
This is a re-run of an article Steve posted yesterday.
Posted by:Bulldog

#2  I did not catch this article the first time. It does indeed sounds like a psy-op however your explanation of grey operations is a little wrong.

the only difference between the "color coding" (for lack of a better term) of psy-op is actually in relation to the attribution to the source.

white is when the product is attributed by the actual source. (such as having a little US army logo on the bottom of a leaflet or something else that would indicate who is putting it out).

Grey is when there is not indications either way.

and Black is when the source is misrepresented. Such as creating a memorandum or propaganda peice that is designed to look like it was created and legitimized by the opposing force.

though you are right, this is technically a grey operations it does kinda lean on the black side. it all depends on how you want to look at it.

and just like everything else, there are varying shades of grey to this.

I will like to say this as well, US army psyop (which uses commando solo)on that level usually sucks. this tikrit stations hits me as a bit more of a well put together idea than what we normally see from military psy-op. HOWEVER, they are not the only organization that does that kind of thing.
Posted by: DeviantSaint   2003-02-25 14:48:59  

#1  The ducks are starting to line up nicely.
Posted by: becky   2003-02-25 10:57:38  

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